Stop running down state institutions

The Lord Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Cape coast, Right Reverend Daniel Sylvanus Adotei Allotey has cautioned Ghanaians, particularly politicians against running down some state institutions when their decisions do not favour them.

He stated that as a democratic country, we must ensure that the integrity of state institutions were protected and respected.

He noted that strengthening of state institutions would enhance our fragile democracy to enable others to learn from it.

According to him, institutions such as the Electoral Commission and the judiciary are independent constitutionally mandated bodies, that must be allowed to discharge their duties without fear or favour irrespective of the decisions they may come out with.

He also said that the decisions of such institutions may not favour a particular political party whereby the incessant attacks against them by a section of Ghanaians may affect their credibility and dent their image .

Bishop Allotey stated this in an interview with the Daily Graphic last Sunday, at Winneba, after the installation of Venerable Ebenezer Love Annan as the Parish Priest of the St. John the Divine Anglican Church, Winneba and Archdeacon of the Winneba Archdeaconry.

He also inaugurated a kindergarten block established by the Women’s Fellowship with support from the Winneba Anglican church.

The interview was to seek his views on the commentaries from some Ghanaians who questioned the integrity and credibility of the Electoral Commission and the judiciary after the final verdict of the election petition was delivered by the nine justices of the Supreme Court.

He added that if one was not satisfied with the decisions of some institutions, he should follow the legal process to seek redress and once the final decision was given, it must be accepted by all instead of resorting to the media to launch vituperative attacks on them.

He explained that such an act would defeat the move to strengthen state institutions to perform their functions effectively.

He commended the flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party in the 2012 elections, Nana Akufo Addo, his running mate, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia and party Chairman, Mr Jake Obestebi Lamptey for accepting the verdict of the court though they were not satisfied with the outcome.

The diocesan bishop indicated that Ghana’s Electoral Commission has been professional since 1992, with an enviable reputation in the entire sub-region and that it behoved Ghanaians to jealously guard its image.

He further stated that Ghanaians must ensure the strengthening of state institutions to promote the democratic governance of the country.

He called for unity in diversity in the governance of the country so that everybody would contribute to the socio-economic development of the nation.